CVE-2017-5827 in Aruba ClearPass
Summary
by MITRE
A reflected cross site scripting vulnerability in HPE Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.6.x was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-5827 represents a reflected cross site scripting flaw within the HPE Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager software version 6.6.x, which operates as a critical identity and access management solution for enterprise networks. This vulnerability resides in the web-based administrative interface of the ClearPass platform, specifically affecting how the system processes and displays user input parameters in HTTP responses. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, exploiting the insecure handling of input data that flows through the application's response mechanism. The affected ClearPass version 6.6.x demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and output encoding, creating an exploitable condition where user-supplied data is directly reflected back to clients without adequate sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when the ClearPass Policy Manager fails to properly encode or escape user-controllable parameters within HTTP response headers or body content. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed by a victim's browser, can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious domains. The vulnerability specifically manifests in parameters that are processed by the web interface and returned to users without appropriate HTML encoding or context-appropriate sanitization. This flaw falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, where applications fail to properly escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. The attack vector requires user interaction through phishing emails, malicious links, or social engineering tactics that prompt victims to click on crafted URLs containing the XSS payload.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to fully compromise user sessions and potentially gain elevated privileges within the ClearPass environment. Since ClearPass serves as a central identity management solution, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to network resources, bypass of authentication mechanisms, and potential lateral movement within the enterprise network. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack payload must be delivered through a third party, typically via email or messaging systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with external communications. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the authentication and authorization processes managed by ClearPass, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users, access restricted network resources, or perform administrative actions that could compromise the entire network infrastructure. The risk assessment indicates this vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other techniques to achieve persistent access or escalate privileges within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5827 primarily focus on immediate software updates and implementation of defensive measures within the network infrastructure. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to HPE Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager versions that have patched this vulnerability, as the vendor would have implemented proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script payloads, while enforcing strict input validation policies at the application level. The implementation of content security policies can provide additional protection against reflected XSS attacks by restricting script execution from untrusted sources. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other applications within the network environment. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability represents a technique for gaining initial access through web application attacks, while T1078 covers legitimate credentials usage that could result from session hijacking. Organizations should also implement user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability, as the reflected nature requires user interaction to be effective. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched software to ensure that the XSS vulnerability is completely resolved without introducing new issues, while maintaining proper monitoring and logging of user activities to detect any potential exploitation attempts.